Prepare For a Messy Monday Full of Casualties

The D-Day is finally here. With just a few hours to go, Kenyans should be all but set to either walk to work or find another suitable means of transport as the much awaited matatu crack-down on matatus that have not adhered to the now famous  starts tomorrow (12 Nov 2018).

Stakeholders in the public transport industry have already opposed the move and to air their dissatisfaction, they have called for a major strike starting tomorrow.

Addressing the the media, the Federation of Public Transport operators   chairman Edwin Mukabana said that their decision follows the directive given on Friday by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

The Federation now says they have written to the Ministry of Transport asking them to clarify on a section of the set requirements adding that they will only return to work after their grievances have been addressed.

In a function attended by Transport James Macharia, PS Karanja Kibicho and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, Matiang’i said that the crackdown is aimed at restoring sanity on Kenyan roads.

Matiang’i and Macharia have given a grace period of two weeks for all stakeholders to comply with the new rules.

The government has turned to the late Transport Minister John Michuki’s guidebook on how to bring back sanity on the roads, giving the public transport sector up to November 12 (tomorrow) to comply with a set of strict conditions.

This includes fixing seat belts, installing speed governors and painting a continuous yellow line around vehicle bodies. Additionally all matatu crew will be required to wear uniform and badges at all time, display the driver’s passport photo on the windscreen and avoid touting.

Matatu operators say unless there is proper education on how the rules will be effected, the government is just but blowing hot air.

“Who is going to enforce the laws?” posed Matatu Owners Association chair Simon Kimutai.

“Is it the same police who are extorting and offering protection to rogue operators? We support the laws but we are sure after one week it will be back to business as usual.”

Do you think the crackdown should be effected or the matatu operators should be given more time to comply?

 

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